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Life and Death
Leben und Tod
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:42
Abstract
This course explores the relation between the scientific investigation of life and cultural notions of death from a historical perspective (assuming there is no such thing as the scientific investigation of death). While the course covers the times from antiquity up to the present, the main emphasis will be placed on the modern life sciences since the 19th century.
Objective
There is only one certainty in life: death. This brute fact has animated much thought and work in theology, art and philosophy - but also in the natural sciences, such as biology and medicine. Questions regarding health and disease, evolution, extinction and immortality have played a crucial role in this connection. This course aims to explore above relations - the relations between the scientific investigation of life and cultural notions of death - from a historical perspective (assuming there is no such thing as the scientific investigation of death). While the course covers the times from antiquity up to the present, the main emphasis will be placed on the modern life sciences since the 19th century.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , DR , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Leben und Tod
Die genauen Unterrichtszeiten von ONLINE - Veranstaltungen werden von den Dozierenden kommuniziert.
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2 h weekly |
Offered In
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GESS Science in Perspective (Only the topics listed in this paragraph can be chosen as GESS Science in Perspective. Further below you will find the "type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. 6 ECTS need to be acquired during the BA and 2 ECTS during the MA Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses: Recommended for doctoral, master and bachelor students (after first-year examination only). Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again. These course units are also listed under "Type A", which basically means all students can enroll)
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Doctoral Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (More Information at: )